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Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for dealing with and importing duty-not-paid cigarettes (with photos)
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     One incoming passenger was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment and fined by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (November 4) for dealing with and importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs Officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
      
     Customs officers intercepted a 45-year-old incoming female passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on September 6. About 140 600 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $577,000 and a duty potential of about $465,000, were seized from her personal baggage. She was subsequently arrested.
      
     The passenger was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment and fined in contravention of the DCO today.
      
     Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
      
     Under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
      
     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
 
Ends/Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Issued at HKT 17:41
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A 45-year-old incoming female passenger was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment and fined by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (November 4) for dealing with and importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs Officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized.
A 45-year-old incoming female passenger was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment and fined by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (November 4) for dealing with and importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs Officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized.